After a thrilling comeback victory against St. Joseph's Long Island, the Yeshiva University Maccabees head to Brooklyn for a Tuesday Night Skyline showdown with the St. Joseph's Brooklyn Bears. YU (8-7, 5-1 Skyline) is riding a three-game win streak near the top of the conference standings. Meanwhile, the Bears (4-11, 1-5 Skyline) will look to rebound from a tough loss to Purchase College.
The Bears are struggling offensively, averaging just 63.7 points per game—third worst in the Skyline. While they fight hard on defense, forcing opponents to shoot 43.6% from the field, their -11 average point differential reflects their difficulty in keeping pace. In their loss to Purchase, Colin Mills led the way with 25 points, but the Bears couldn't find answers in the second half, giving up key runs that sealed their fate. Meanwhile, the Macs have been heating up. An explosive 34-point performance from Max Zakheim powered their come-from-behind win over the SJLI Golden Eagles. Yeshiva has been thriving offensively, leading the conference in field goal percentage (45.3%) and free-throw shooting (78.4%). Their resilience under pressure and ability to score in bunches makes them a tough matchup for anyone, especially a team on the struggle bus like the Bears.
Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz and the Macs look to extend their winning streak to four games on the road against the Saint Joseph’s Brooklyn Bears. (Photo Credit: Akiva Poppers/MacsLive)
Start Strong:
St. Joseph's Brooklyn has shown they can rally back in games, so Yeshiva needs to set the tone early. Building a first-half lead will force the Bears to play catch-up, an area where they've struggled.
Defend the Perimeter:
St. Joseph's Brooklyn averages eight three-pointers per game, while Yeshiva averages six. Limiting the Bears' three-point shooting opportunities and containing sharpshooters Mills and Justin Nazon will prevent them from staying competitive.
Win the Rebounding Battle:
Nazon's rebounding (13 boards last game) is a key strength for the Bears. YU needs to box out and secure defensive rebounds to prevent second-chance opportunities. Contributions from Luke Cronin, Yoav Oselka, and Roy Itcovichi on both sides of the house will be crucial.
Mills vs. Zakheim:
Both players are coming off big performances. Mills poured in 25 points for the Bears, while Zakheim dazzled with 34 for the Macs. The one on one matchup could define how this one goes.
How To Watch:
Tip-Off is at 8PM. You can watch the game here.
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